I hate pumping: what would you do?

Question

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My son is almost 3 months old, and I have been exclusively pumping since he was a couple of weeks old. We gave nursing a good try, but I couldn’t handle it. I’ve always dealt with nipple sensitivity, and I cannot stand *anyone* touching them.
But I absolutely hate pumping. I’ve tried literally everything to make it more bearable. Nothing helps. I’m not in pain, I just despise the feeling. Some days are better than others, but the bad days are BAD. It has stolen a good amount of joy from my first 3 months of motherhood. I’d rather relive my epidural-free (not by choice) labor than sit through my next pump session three hours from now. Yes, that’s dramatic…but I’m almost serious.
I want to stop pumping and switch to formula so badly, but I obviously would never willingly put my child’s nutrition at risk. I do know how fortunate we are to not worry about what we will feed our baby. We started giving him one bottle of Similac Advance per day, which he has done really well with. That formula has been consistently available in grocery stores in my area throughout the shortage, and we currently have a few small cans in our pantry (in case I, I don’t know, get struck by lightning). 
What would you do? Suffer through until formula has been back on shelves for a while? Buy more formula now and trust that this will end in late July (as I’ve read)? Does anyone else hate pumping as much as I do? Apologies for the long post, but I would like some opinions from other mothers. And it felt therapeutic to type this out. :) and I hope anyone who may still be reading this is holding up well during these stressful times for parents.

Answer

I pumped for a year. Hated every second. I’d get nauseous and I’d break out in hives at every letdown. I cried A LOT and I stuck it out. Normally, I’d encourage anyone to put their mental health first, but the shortage is scary. If I was in your situation and really couldn’t handle it anymore, I’d grab the formula that’s been working and give that exclusively while I pumped and froze my milk. That way, if the shortage effects you, you’ll have a little bit of a back up. You’ll have to wean off anyway.

Answer

Just stop. You should be able to enjoy this time. A formula fed baby is not at a disadvantage, they're not receiving subpar nutrition, they're not less healthy.

Answer

I’ve been pretty much exclusively pumping for 8 months. I have no idea how I made it this long but pumping has severely hurt my bond with my son and I hate it. I just honestly didn’t really enjoy breastfeeding period. Im so done. Just unbelievably done. I tried buying wearable pumps to make it less frustrating but they don’t work for me. I already can’t wait to have my next baby so I can actually enjoy my newborn because I spent the first month of my sons life handing him off so I could pump. you can get formula from European formula companies just fine.

Answer

I have exclusively pumped for the last 5 months and Love it! It allows me to make milk on my schedule, use it has a “break” time from life, does not hurt at all, instant gratification on how much milk I can milk to feed my child, makes it so husband can feed baby often, seem less feeding transition when I went back to work.

Answer

I had to exclusively pump from day four. We had latching issues. I believe my son had an undiagnosed lip tie. Once he hit about 3 - 3 1/2 months I just got sooooo tired of being attached to something. I had low milk supply so I was pumping every 3 hours for about a half hour to try and encourage more milk production. It was just too overwhelming. I stopped. We went and bought formula. We finished what little I was able to freeze and with the last week - maybe 5 days worth - we mixed formula into it and then once it was gone he had nothing but the formula. As much as we’d like to do what’s best for them, sometimes we need to do what’s best for us.

Answer

I pumped for 4 months with my first along with breastfeeding and my supply was always mediocre. I hated it. That weird sensation your nipples get randomly throughout the day when you aren’t even feeding, the constant feed and pump that made every late night feeding later. You have done well already momma! I would definitely pack it in or maybe try for another month just to ensure the shortage is over just in case. You would hate to stop and then lose your milk and have trouble feeding baby afterwards.

Answer

My cousin acted pumping. Like a lot. She pumped and did formula until ~6 months and then exclusively switched to formula

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I pumped for 10 months and hated every single second of it but I would have went to 12 if I didn't get pregnant again. I'd recommend doing half and half if you want to have less pumping sessions. Your baby will still get the nutrition and you'll get a break.

Answer

I HATE pumping!!! With my son, I pumped until he weaned himself at 10 months. I was basically only pumping to keep my supply up for when he was with me to nurse. I barely got any milk from pumping, so I had to supplement pretty early on. This go around, I hate it a little less just because I’ve actually pumped a lot of milk (1400oz) frozen without pumping consistently except for 3 months. Pumping is too time consuming and limiting. 
With this formula shortage though, I’d stick with it or find someone to donate breast milk to you. I’m about to donate 400oz to a mom in bed in my area.

Answer

Ied keep pumping especially with the formula shortage. You never know when its gonna hit your stores/ area. Do like half formula half breastmilk that way you can pump less

I hate pumping: what would you do?

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